Method for the preparation and application of pressure and heat applied image transfers

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a method for preparing a pressure and/or heat applied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising: applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on a support, the image release system comprising an image release surface; applying a pressure and/or heat activated adhesive layer over i) the image release system including the image area, and/or ii) at least a portion of the target surface, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the release surface; contacting, with the application of pressure and/or heat, the target surface and the image transfer sheet such that the dried adhesive layer attaches only in the image area to i) the target surface and/or ii) the image transfer sheet; and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached to the target surface.

This invention relates to pressure and/or heat applied imagetransfers—this includes rub-down image transfers, but rubbing down isnot the only method of transferring the image from the image carrier tothe target surface.

Rub-down image transfers are well-known—the system sold under the tradename “Letraset” will be very familiar, which appears as sheet withvarious indicia including letters and numerals in different type faceswhich can be transferred from the face of the sheet on to the targetsurface (e.g. a drawing on paper) by placing the image face against thepaper and rubbing down or burnishing the back of the sheet so that theletter or numeral becomes attached to the target surface and detachedfrom the sheet.

There have been several attempts to extend this process into full colourreprographics, and such attempts have involved more or less complicatedprocedures and the use of particular materials with some limitations asto the nature of the final target surface, all at considerable cost, interms of both materials cost and processing cost and complexity.

The present invention provides methods for preparing a pressure and/orheat applied image transfer sheet, and such sheets, which are lessexpensive and easier to use, with superior results, as compared to priorart techniques. The methods are applicable to a wide range of targetsurfaces, including compact discs and leather items. Furthermore, themethods can be adapted for use in mass production applications.

The invention comprises a method for preparing a pressure and/or heatapplied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a targetsurface comprising:

applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on asupport, the image release system comprising an image release surface;

applying a pressure-activated and/or heat activated adhesive layer overi) the image release system including the image area and/or ii) at leasta portion of the target surface, which adhesive layer adheres morestrongly to the image layer than the image layer does to the releasesurface;

contacting, with the application of pressure and/or heat, the targetsurface and the image transfer sheet such that the dried adhesive layerattaches only in the image area to i) the target surface and/or ii) theimage transfer sheet;

and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except forthe image area which is left attached to the target surface.

The method may comprise:

applying a pressure and/or heat activated adhesive layer over the imagerelease system including the image area;

such that when the dried adhesive layer is applied to a target surfacewith the application of pressure and/or heat it attaches to the targetsurface only in the image area but is otherwise retained by the support.

Alternatively, the method may comprise:

applying a pressure and/or heat activated adhesive layer over at least aportion of the target surface;

contacting, with the application of pressure and/or heat, the targetsurface and the image transfer sheet such that the dried adhesiveattaches only in the image area to the image transfer sheet.

The release surface may be on a film support layer which is itselfattached to a backing by a release coat on a backing adhesive coat ofthe backing, the backing being first peelable from the support so as toleave the image visible through the film.

The image layer may be applied using a dry toner medium, or an ink or apaint. The image may be masked with a white pigment.

The image may be applied using a dry toner electrophotographic process(xerography) or an electroink printing process (e.g. the Indigo(trademark) process).

White pigment masking, in xerography may be by way of a white pigmentfoil; in electroink printing, a white pigment ink may be used.

The purpose of the white pigment masking is threefold—first, it allowspastel shades to be properly represented, it protects the image, whichwould otherwise be exposed and liable to damage, second it createsopacity.

The image may be masked with a metallised foil.

The image may be masked with a holographic element.

The image release system may bind the image layer to the image releasesurface with an interfacial tension of 38-39 dynes/cm², or may besurface treated, as by a corona discharge treatment, to attain asuitable surface tension, though corona treatment tends to apply only atemporary effect.

The adhesive layer may be applied just prior to application to thecontacting of the target and the image transfer sheet. It may be appliedby spraying or by roller coating, when organic solvent based adhesiveswill be found suitable, or it may be applied by means of an adhesivesheet, in which the adhesive may be water-based.

The image release system may bind the adhesive layer to the imagerelease surface with a surface tension 4-5 dynes/cm² less than thatwhich it binds the image layer to the image release surface.

The image release system may bind the adhesive layer to the imagerelease surface with a surface tension of 34 dynes/cm².

The adhesive may be activated solely by heat and is desirably fastdrying so that application to the target surface is not delayed too longafter application of the adhesive.

Application of pressure to transfer the image to the target surface maybe by means of a pressure roller, which may be used hot or cold, by aplate, as in foil blocking, or by burnishing—fingers may suffice, butburnishing tools capable of applying higher, more localised pressurewill usually be preferred.

The target surface may comprise a surface of a compact disc, in whichinstance the adhesive layer may be applied over the entire surface ofthe compact disc or one or more selected portions of the surface of thecompact disc.

Images may be transferred to a plurality of target surfaces. Thesetarget surfaces may comprise the surfaces of objects positioned on amoveable web, and the image transfer sheet may comprise a web having aplurality of image areas, the web being fed by rollers so as to contactthe target surfaces. The adhesive layer may be applied to the web whichhas a plurality of image areas.

The target surface may comprise glass, plastic, fabric, wood or leather.

The invention also comprises an image transfer system comprising apressure and/or heat applied image transfer sheet comprising an imagerelease system on a support, the image release system comprising animage release surface and adapted to receive an image layer on any partof the image release system (the image area) which image layer isreleasably held on said surface, and a pressure activated adhesive to beapplied after the image to the image release system including the imagearea and/or at least a portion of a target surface and having thecharacteristic that it binds more firmly to the image layer than theimage layer binds to the image release surface and intended forapplication to a target surface to which it binds less firmly than tothe image release surface.

The release surface may be on a film support layer which is itselfattached to a backing (such as, conveniently, paper or a syntheticmaterial) by a release coat on a backing adhesive coat of the backing,the backing being first peelable from the support so as to leave theimage visible through the film.

The film may be a polyester, which may be of polyethylene terephlthate(PET), or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Alternatively, the film may bepolypropylene (OPP).

The image release surface may be a release coating on the support, whichmay comprise a wax coating.

The image release system may comprise at least one differential bindinglayer located over the image release surface. The differential bindinglayer may be a lacquer.

The surface may be corona discharge treated, however, and may have asurface tension to an applied image of 38-39 dynes/cm².

The image release system may bind the adhesive layer to the imagerelease surface with a surface tension 4-5 dynes/cm² less than that atwhich it binds the image layer to the image release surface.

The method for preparing a pressure-applied image transfer sheet and theimage transfer system for use therewith will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a face-on view of a transfer sheet bearing images for transferto a target surface;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of an unimaged transfer sheet arrangement,with components separated;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an imaged transfer sheet, with thecomponents adhered together;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of an imaged sheet like FIG. 3, but with awhite pigment mask;

FIG. 5 is a sequence, A, B, C, D of steps in the application of theimage to a target surface;

FIG. 6 is a face-on view of a transfer sheet bearing a plurality ofimages for transfer to a compact disc;

FIG. 7 shows an image transfer sheet and a compact disc a) before, b)during and c) after contacting of the sheet and the disc;

FIG. 8 is a face-on view of a compact disc with a) an adhesive layerover substantially the entire surface of the disc and b) two adhesivelayers in selected portions of the surface;

FIG. 9 shows an example of apparatus for automated transfer of images tocompact discs;

FIG. 10 shows an example of apparatus for automated transfer of imagesto target surfaces;

FIG. 11 shows a sheet for positioning leather items thereon; and

FIG. 12 shows an image transfer sheet and target surface a) before b)after image transfer and c) after post processing.

FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate a first method for preparing a pressure-appliedimage transfer sheet for applying an image to a target surface.

FIG. 1 shows the face-on view of a typical image transfer sheet 11 withvarious images 12 thereon any one of which can be transferred at a timeby rubbing-down or pressing on to the target surface. The images are, ofcourse, reversed.

The imaged sheet 11 of FIG. 1 is made by applying an image layer 16,FIG. 3, to a blank sheet 11 as illustrated in FIG. 2, which comprises animage release system 14 on a support 15, the image release system 14solely comprising, in this example, an image release surface. Apressure-activated and/or heat activated adhesive layer 17 is appliedover the image release surface 14 including the image layer 16, as seenin FIG. 5A, which layer 17 adheres more strongly to the image layer 16than does the image release surface 14.

When the dried adhesive layer 17 is applied to the target surface 13with the application of pressure, e.g. rubbing down, as in FIG. 5C,and/or heat, it attaches to the target surface 13 only in the image areabut is otherwise retained by the support 15.

The support 15 is then peeled off the target surface 13 together withthe adhesive layer 17 (FIG. 5D) except for the image area 16 which isleft attached to the target surface 13 by the pressure and/or heatactivated adhesive layer 17.

Clearly, for this to happen, the adhesive layer 17 must attach morestrongly to the image release surface 14 than to the target surface 13,and the characteristics of the image release surface 14, the adhesive 17and the image layer 16 may be selected so as to work with a wide varietyof target surfaces 13.

The image release surface 14 is on a film support layer—the support15—which is itself attached to a backing 18—See FIG. 2—by a release coat19 on a backing adhesive coat 21 on the backing 18. The backing 18 issimply to act as a stiffish carrier to allow easy handling of the sheetfor storage, and for feeding through an imaging system. As shown in FIG.5B it is removed from the support 15, by virtue of the release coat 19,before the support 15 is pressed down on to the target surface 13. Ifthe backing 18 is opaque, as for example, paper, and the support 15 ofclear film, its removal clearly renders the image area 16 visiblethrough the film support 15 for accurate positioning thereof on thetarget surface 13.

The image layer 16 may be applied in different ways. A dry toner mediummay for example be applied in an electrophotographic process—a colourxerographic copier, for example may be used or an electrophotographicprinting press. An ink could be used, however, perhaps in an electroinkprinting process, or a paint may be applied as by a brush. There simplyneeds to be a deposit on the image release surface 14 that can be takenoff and transferred on to another surface.

There is advantage in covering or masking the image with a white pigment21, FIG. 4. For one thing, the pigment layer 22 protects the image layer16 and facilitates the proper transfer of pastel shades, which arccharacterized by a sparcity of pigment loading of the colour componentsof the dry toner, for example, and which, on that account, do nottransfer very well as the adhesive layer 17 tends to attach to thesupport 15 in between the pigments exactly as it does outside the imagearea 12. It also creates opacity. The white pigment can be applied froma foil, akin to typewriter correction foil the release characteristicsof the pigment from the foil being such as will allow it to come off onto the image, but not on to the image release surface. The foil cansimply be laid and smoothed out on top of the image bearing face, theassembly being placed inside a stiffish paper folder to prevent anywrinkling, and the folder sent through a roller arrangement may beheated, or heat supplied in some way to assist the transfer of the whitepigment on to the image area. When however, an electroink process isused to apply the image, the white pigment can be a component of theprinted image, and it is unnecessary to apply a white pigment covering.

If, in a dry toner process which uses only coloured toner, not white,truly white areas are required in the image, they can be “painted” on ina manual operation using something akin to typewriter correction fluid,or printed on as by manual or machine silk screen printing, or a hotfoil transfer method might be employed.

The image release surface 14 is desirably selected so that it binds theimage layer 16 with an interfacial tension of 38-39 dynes/cm². Thesurface 14 may be treated as by a corona discharge treatment to bringabout a suitable characteristic. The surface 14 can be provided by arelease coat 14 a, which may be e.g. a wax or combination of waxes witha lacquer, on the support 15. FIG. 12 shows the process of the presentinvention in the latter instance by reference to cross sections of theimage transfer sheet and the target surface, the cross sections beingtaken in a region of the transfer sheet in which an image layer has beenapplied. FIG. 12a shows an image transfer sheet 130 comprising a support132, a wax release surface 134, a lacquer differential binding layer 136located over the image release surface 134, an image layer 138 and anadhesive layer 140. The image release system comprises the releasesurface 134 and the differential binding layer 136. In FIG. 12a, theimage transfer sheet 130 is about to be applied to a target surface 142,which might be the surface of a compact disc. In a non-limitingembodiment, the use of an electroink image layer 136, a heat activatedadhesive layer 140 and a polyester support 132 of 23 micron thicknesshas been found to be suitable in the instance in which images aretransferred onto the surface of a compact disc.

FIG. 12b shows the process after contact of the transfer sheet 130 withthe target surface 142. In the region shown in FIG. 12b, the adhesivelayer 140, the image layer 138 and the differential binding layer 126remain on the target surface. It will be appreciated that in otherregions of the transfer sheet 130, in which an image layer has not beenapplied, there is no attachment of the adhesive layer 140 to the targetsurface 144. FIG. 12c shows a post-processing step in which a UV curedhard lacquer coat 144 is applied once the image is transferred.Differential release surfaces can be modified by modifying the weightsof wax and lacquer. Different surfaces 14 may need to be prepared fordifferent techniques of image application to the surface 14.

The adhesive layer 17 can be applied just prior to application to thetarget surface 13, as by spraying by aerosol. For comprehensive coveringof the image and surrounding area it may be recommended that spraying beexecuted in parallel, overlapping passes in one direction at rightangles to said one direction.

The adhesive is preferably quick drying so that application to thetarget surface 13 can take place without undue delay, and can be low,medium or high tack, pemitting complete variability of the targetsurface.

In procedures other than manual application, conventional coatingtechnology, such as roller coating the adhesive, may be preferred. Ineither event, organic solvent based, water based or hot melt adhesivescan be used. However, the adhesive may be applied by means of anadhesive transfer sheet, when a water-based adhesive could berecommended.

Such a sheet will normally be supplied as a substrate with an adhesivecoating which will transfer to the image release surface as well as tothe image on it (and, of course, any white pigment areas) protected by apeel-off layer that peels from the adhesive coating without peeling thatcoating from the substrate.

As seen in FIG. 5C, pressure is applied, once the image 16 is correctlypositioned, over the image surface to activate the pressure-activatedadhesive 13. Pressure is applied, in manual procedures, by burnishing aswith the fingers or fingernails or, preferably, with a burnishing tool,which may be of the type used to apply gold leaf, for example. On theother hand, a pressure roller may be used in a more automated ormechanical operation—such may of course be used hot or cold dependingupon the characteristics of the adhesive layer 17, target surface 13 andso on. A stamp might be employed.

In any event, the effect is to activate the adhesive 17 which, asbetween the target surface 13 and the image release surface 14 bindspreferentially to the latter. However, the image layer 16 bindspreferentially to the adhesive 17 which, beneath the image area, firmlyadheres to the target surface 13 and retains the image 11 thereupon.

The support 15 may be of any suitable film material such as PET, OPP orPEN and the image release system 14 can be a wax/lacquer thereon.

The primary requirement is for the relative attachment strengths to besuch as will facilitate the required differential attachments, but forthe purpose of adapting the process to the widest range of targetsurfaces, the figure of 38-39 dynes/cm² for the interfacial binding ofthe image layer 16 to the image release surface 14 has been determinedto be appropriate. However, the interfacial binding strength can bereferenced to the coat weight when using, for example, a lacquer/waxrelease coat, since the surface tension depends on the weight of waxemployed. In this instance, the image release system can be said to bindthe image layer to the image release surface with a surface tension of38-39 dynes/cm², the binding being achieved through the lacquerdifferential binding layer.

Although several imaging media can be used the process lends itself tothe production of one-off images generated digitally and transferred tothe image release surface by wholly electronic means.

Also solid ink imagine techniques can be used.

FIG. 10 shows a device suitable for the continuous application of imagesto target surfaces 100 arising from the above described method, in whichthe target surfaces 100 are fed onto a moveable web such as a conveyorbelt 102. The image transfer sheet comprises a web 104 having aplurality of image areas, the web 104 being fed by rollers 106, 108. Theweb 104 comprises a film web having an appropriate image release surfaceand image areas applied thereto. Adhesive is applied to the film web 104with an adhesive feeder unit 110, which might be a hot melt coatinghead. A heated pressure applying roller 112 enables the contacting, withthe application of pressure and heat, of the target surfaces 100 withthe web 104. The device further comprises a take off roller 114 and atensioning roller 116. Further processing steps may be required,depending on the nature of the target surfaces 100. For example, ifimage transfer onto leather is being performed, a protective coating maybe applied directly after image transfer. Immediate curing of thisprotective coating can be performed using, for example, a UV lamp. Suchprocessing steps can be performed while the target surface 100 is stillon the moveable web.

A problem is often encountered in aligning leather items on the moveableweb so that the leather items are in correct register with the appliedimages. This is because leather items are relatively tight, thin andflexible, making it difficult to position such items and to ensure thatthe items remain in place. This problem may be overcome by appropriatelypositioning the leather items on an adhesive coated sheet. FIG. 11 showsan adhesive coated sheet 120 with leather items 122 placed thereon. Thesheet 120 is coated with a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive, and maybe a clear film such as polyester film. The leather items 122—whichmight be components of footwear or a garment—are appropriatelypositioned on the sheet 120, and thereafter are held in correctalignment. The correct positioning of the leather items 122 can beachieved by laying the sheet 120 on top of a profile template onto whichprofile lines have been provided. Alternatively, the appropriate profilelines 124 might be printed onto the sheet 120 itself. Alternativelystill, the shapes of the leather items might be cut from a sheet ofleather which is of the same dimensions as the sheet. In this case, thesheet of leather can be placed, in register, onto the sheet and thenpeeled off, leaving the cut-out leather items. The sheet 120 with thecorrectly aligned leather items 122 can then be fed onto the removeableweb using conventional techniques. It will be apparent that this methodof aligning leather items might be employed in conjunction with otherprinting or transfer techniques.

FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate a second method for preparing a pressure-appliedimage transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a targetsurface.

The imaged sheet 60 of FIG. 6 is similar to sheet 11 of FIG. 1 in thatit is made by applying an image layer 63 to a blank sheet, the blanksheet comprising an image release system 64 on a support 65 (see FIG.7a), the image release system 64 comprising an image release surface.

In contrast to the sheet 11 of FIG. 1, a pressure and/or heat activatedadhesive layer 66 (FIG. 7a) is applied over at least a portion of thetarget surface 62, which adhesive layer 66 adheres more strongly to theimage layer 63 than the image layer 63 does to the release surface 64.

Thereafter, the target surface 62 and the image transfer sheet 60 arecontacted with the application of pressure (FIG. 7b), such that thedried adhesive layer 66 attaches only in the image area to the imagetransfer sheet 60.

The support 65 is then peeled off (FIG. 7c) together with the adhesivelayer 66 except for the image area 61 which is left attached to thetarget surface 62.

The materials and procedures described above in respect of the firstmethod are also applicable to this second method.

A particularly important application of the second method is theprinting of images and labels onto compact discs, ie. in which thetarget surface comprises a surface—the non-playing surface—of a compactdisc.

In a particularly preferred method, the image layer 63 is applied in anelectroink printing process. In this way, six fully colour images 61,each suitable for application to a compact disc, can be applied to an A3size sheet. Since a commercial available electronic apparatus (Indigo)is capable of printing thirty A3 sheets per minute. a total of 180compact discs can be processed per minute, provided, of course, that thesubsequent process steps can operate at this throughput. This compareswith a printing capacity of 60 to 70 compact discs per minute usingprior art methods for applying full colour images.

The support 65 is preferably a polyester such as PET or PEN. Theunsupported release system 64 can be lacquer and wax. In this instance,the image release system 64 comprises the wax release surface and thelacquer differential binding layer located thereon. With polyestersupports, the combination of lacquer and wax results in the image layer63 being bound with the desirable interfacial tension of 38-39dynes/cm². Polyurethane might be used instead as the release surface 64.A polypropylene support can undergo corona treatment to produce aninterfacial tension of ca. 38-39 dynes cm², but suffers the disadvantagethat it is not possible to print onto it using the electroink technique.However, it is possible to provide an ink receptive coating such as amodified PVA, which would permit the use of an electroink process.

Metallised foils and/or holographic elements might be incorporated intothe image layer 63 in order to enhance the appearance of the printedcompact disc.

FIGS. 8a and b show possible areas of application of the adhesive layerto the target surface 70 of a compact disc. In FIG. 8a an adhesive layer72 is applied over substantially the entire surface 70 of the compactdisc, whereas in FIG. 8b two adhesive layers 74, 76 are applied toselected portions of the surface 70 of the compact disc. Clearly,appropriately shaped image areas would be applied to the adhesive layers74, 76, which might be slightly larger than the corresponding imageareas—in this way, any slight misregistration of image with adhesivelayer is compensated for. The adhesive layer can comprise a water basedacrylic, although other suitable adhesives would suggest themselves toone skilled in the art.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a device suitable for the continuousapplication of images to compact discs, in which compact discs are fedonto a moveable web such as a conveyor belt 80. The adhesive layer isapplied to the target surfaces of the compact discs using an adhesivefeeder unit 82 which comprises an application roller 82 a. The imagetransfer sheet comprises a web 84 having a plurality of image areas, theweb 84 being fed by rollers 86, 88. A pressure applying roller 90enables the contacting, with the application of pressure, of thesurfaces of the compact discs and the web 84. The web 84 is peeled offwith a take off roller 92. Fans 94, 96 and a heater 98 may be provided,depending on the precise nature of the adhesive and the roll employed.The images are transferred in register with the discs using techniqueswell known in the art.

It is desirable that a cured layer of lacquer is provided over theprinted surfaces of the compact discs. If a UV sensitive lacquer is usedas image release surface, then this lacquer layer can be cured with aflash lamp 100. Alternatively, a separate lacquer coating could beapplied and cured.

There are plural advantages with the above described methods forapplying images to compact discs. An extremely high throughput of 180discs per minute is possible. Extremely high quality, full colour imagesmay be transferred onto the discs. Furthermore, print runs of any lengthcan be accommodated, with rapid switching between different runs.Indeed, it is possible to continually vary the nature of the transferredimage. This would enable cost effective printing of personalisedinformation onto the disc, which information might comprise a message orindicate the person to whom an item of software is licensed to. Anotherpossibility is to print a bar code or some other identifying label. Itis possible to use the method to transfer images onto leather, in whichinstance it may be desirable to provide a cross linking base coatbetween the surface of the leather and the adhesive. Additionally, itmay be desirable to provide a UV cured lacquer top coat.

The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments only.Images may be transferred to other surfaces, for example glass, plastic,fabric and wood.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for preparing a pressure and heatapplied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a targetsurface comprising: applying an image layer to an image area of an imagerelease system on a support, the image release system comprising arelease coating comprising a wax and a lacquer that extends under andbeyond borders of the image layer; then applying a pressure and heatactivated adhesive layer over the image layer and the image releasesystem beyond the border of the image layer after the image layer hasbeen applied to the image release system, which adhesive layer adheresmore strongly to the image layer than the image layer does to therelease surface and the adhesive layer adheres more strongly to therelease system than to the target surface; contacting, with theapplication of pressure and heat, the target surface and the imagetransfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the imagearea to the target surface; and peeling off the support together withthe portion of the adhesive layer beyond the borders of the image area,leaving the image layer attached to the target surface.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, in which the image layer is applied using a drytoner medium.
 3. A method according to claim 1, in which the image layeris applied using an ink.
 4. A method according to claim 1, in which theimage layer is applied using a paint.
 5. A method according to claim 1,in which the image is masked with a white pigment.
 6. A method accordingto claim 5, in which the image is white masked with a white pigment ink.7. A method according to claim 1, in which the image is applied using adry toner electrophotographic process.
 8. A method according to claim 7,in which the image is white pigment masked using a white pigment foil.9. A method according to claim 1, in which the image is applied using anelectroink printing process.
 10. A method according to claim 1 in whichthe image is masked with a metallised foil.
 11. A method according toclaim 1 in which the image is masked with a holographic element.
 12. Amethod according to claim 1, in which the image release system istreated to attain a suitable surface tension.
 13. A method according toclaim 12, in which the surface treatment is a corona dischargetreatment.
 14. A method according to claim 1, in which the adhesivelayer is applied just prior to the contacting of the target surface andthe image transfer sheet.
 15. A method according to claim 1, in whichthe adhesive layer is applied by spraying.
 16. A method according toclaim 1, in which the adhesive layer is applied by roller coating.
 17. Amethod according to claim 1, in which the adhesive is organic solventbased.
 18. A method according to claim 1, in which the adhesive layer isapplied by means of an adhesive sheet.
 19. A method according to claim18, in which the adhesive is water-based.
 20. A method according toclaim 1, in which the application of pressure is by means of a pressureroller.
 21. A method according to claim 20, in which the roller isapplied hot.
 22. A method according to claim 1, in which the applicationof pressure is by a plate.
 23. A method according to claim 1 in whichimages are transferred to a plurality of target surfaces.
 24. A methodaccording to claim 23 in which the target surfaces comprise the surfacesof objects positioned on a moveable web.
 25. A method according to claim24 in which the image transfer sheet comprises a web having a pluralityof image areas, the web being fed by rollers so as to contact the targetsurfaces.
 26. A method according to claim 25 in which the adhesive layeris applied to the web which has a plurality of image areas.
 27. A methodaccording to claim 1 in which the target surface comprises glass,plastic, fabric, wood or leather.
 28. The method according to claim 1,wherein the wax and the lacquer of the release coating comprises a layerof the wax and a layer of differential binding lacquer applied to thewax.
 29. A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied imagetransfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surfacecomprising: applying an image layer to an image area of an image releasesystem on a support, the image release system comprising a releasecoating comprising a wax and a lacquer; then applying a pressure andheat activated adhesive layer over the image release system includingthe image area after the image layer has been applied to the imagerelease system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the imagelayer than the image layer does to the release surface; contacting, withthe application of pressure and heat, the target surface and the imagetransfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the imagearea to the target surface; and peeling off the support together withthe adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached tothe target surface; and wherein the image release system is on a filmsupport layer which is itself attached to a backing by a release coat ona backing adhesive coat of the backing, the backing being first peelablefrom the support so as to leave the image visible through the film. 30.A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfer sheetand applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising: applyingan image layer to an image area of an image release system on a support,the image release system comprising a release coating comprising a waxand a lacquer; then applying a pressure and heat activated adhesivelayer over the image release system including the image area after theimage layer has been applied to the image release system, which adhesivelayer adheres more strongly to the image layer than the image layer doesto the release surface; contacting, with the application of pressure andheat, the target surface and the image transfer sheet such that theadhesive layer attaches only in the image area to the target surface;and peeling off the support together with the adhesive layer except forthe image area which is left attached to the target surface; and whereinthe image release system binds the image layer with a surface tension of38-39 dynes/cm².
 31. A method for preparing a pressure and heat appliedimage transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surfacecomprising: applying an image layer to an image area of an image releasesystem on a support, the image release system comprising a releasecoating comprising a wax and a lacquer; then applying a pressure andheat activated adhesive layer over the image release system includingthe image area after the image layer has been applied to the imagerelease system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the imagelayer than the image layer does to the release surface; contacting, withthe application of pressure and heat, the target surface and the imagetransfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the imagearea to the target surface; and peeling off the support together withthe adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached tothe target surface; and wherein the image release system binds theadhesive layer with a surface tension 4-5 dynes/cm² less than that whichit binds the image layer.
 32. A method for preparing a pressure and heatapplied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a targetsurface comprising: applying an image layer to an image area of an imagerelease system on a support, the image release system comprising arelease coating comprising a wax and a lacquer; then applying a pressureand heat activated adhesive layer over the image release systemincluding the image area after the image layer has been applied to theimage release system, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to theimage layer than the image layer does to the release surface;contacting, with the application of pressure and heat, the targetsurface and the image transfer sheet such that the adhesive layerattaches only in the image area to the target surface; and peeling offthe support together with the adhesive layer except for the image areawhich is left attached to the target surface; and wherein the releasesystem binds the adhesive layer with a surface tension of 34 dynes/cm².33. A method for preparing a pressure and heat applied image transfersheet and applying an image therefrom to a target surface comprising:applying an image layer to an image area of an image release system on asupport, the image release system comprising a release coatingcomprising a wax and a lacquer; then applying a pressure and heatactivated adhesive layer over the image release system including theimage area after the image layer has been applied to the image releasesystem, which adhesive layer adheres more strongly to the image layerthan the image layer does to the release surface; contacting, with theapplication of pressure and heat, the target surface and the imagetransfer sheet such that the adhesive layer attaches only in the imagearea to the target surface; and peeling off the support together withthe adhesive layer except for the image area which is left attached tothe target surface; and wherein the target surface comprises a surfaceof a compact disc.
 34. An image transfer system comprising a pressureand heat applied image release system on a support, the image releasesystem comprising an image release coating comprising a wax and alacquer and adapted to receive an image layer on any part of the imagerelease system which image layer is releasably held on said imagerelease system, defining an image area, and a pressure and heatactivated adhesive applied to the image layer after the image layer hasbeen applied to the image release system, the adhesive also beingapplied to the release system beyond borders of the image layer, theadhesive having the characteristic that it bonds more firmly to theimage layer than the image layer bonds to the image release system andis intended for application to a target surface to which it binds lessfirmly than to the image release system.
 35. A system according to claim34, in which the lacquer comprises a differential binding layer locatedover the wax.
 36. A system according to claim 34, in which the imagerelease surface is corona discharge treated.
 37. A system according toclaim 34, wherein the wax and the lacquer of the release coatingcomprises a layer of the wax and a layer of differential binding lacquerapplied to the wax.
 38. An image transfer system comprising a pressureand heat applied image release system on a support, the image releasesystem comprising an image release coating comprising a wax and alacquer and adapted to receive an image layer on any part of the imagerelease system (the image area) which image layer is releasably held onsaid image release system, and a pressure and heat activated adhesive tobe applied after the image layer has been applied to the image releasesystem including the image area, the adhesive having the characteristicthat it bonds more firmly to the image layer than the image layer bondsto the image release system and is intended for application to a targetsurface to which it binds less firmly than to the image release system;and wherein the release system is on a film support layer which isitself attached to a backing by a release coat on a backing adhesivecoat of the backing, the backing being first peelable from the supportso as to leave the image visible through the film support layer.
 39. Asystem according to claim 38, in which the film support layer is apolyester.
 40. A system according to claim 38, in which the film supportlayer is polyethylene terephthalene.
 41. A system according to claim 38,in which the film support layer is polyethylene naphthalate.
 42. Asystem according to claim 38, in which the film support layer ispolypropylene.
 43. An image transfer system comprising a pressure andheat applied image release system on a support, the image release systemcomprising an image release coating comprising a wax and a lacquer andadapted to receive an image layer on any part of the image releasesystem (the image area) which image layer is releasably held on saidimage release system, and a pressure and heat activated adhesive to beapplied after the image layer has been applied to the image releasesystem including the image area, the adhesive having the characteristicthat it bonds more firmly to the image layer than the image layer bondsto the image release system and is intended for application to a targetsurface to which it binds less firmly than to the image release system;and wherein the image release system has a surface tension to an appliedimage of 38-39 dynes/cm².
 44. A method for preparing a pressure and heatapplied image transfer sheet and applying an image therefrom to a targetsurface comprising: providing an image release system on a supportsheet, the image release system comprising a release coating comprisinga wax and a lacquer; then applying an image layer to portions of theimage release system; then coating with an adhesive the image layer andareas of the image release system that are not covered by the imagelayer after the image layer has been applied to the image releasesystem, the adhesive adhering more strongly to the image layer than theimage layer does to the image release system; then contacting theadhesive with the target surface and applying heat and pressure to thesupport sheet to cause the adhesive to adhere to the target surface butwith less adherence than the adhesive does to the image release system;then peeling off the support sheet along with the adhesive that coatedthe areas of the image release system not covered by the image layer,leaving the image layer attached to the target surface.
 45. The methodaccording to claim 44 wherein the adhesive adheres to the image releasesystem less strongly than the image layer does to the image releasesystem.
 46. A system according to claim 44, wherein the wax and thelacquer of the release coating comprises a layer of the wax and a layerof differential binding lacquer applied to the wax.